Furnace Repair in Chicago Homes and Two-Flats
Most of the furnace calls we run in Chicago come from basements that were never designed around a modern furnace. A brick bungalow from the 1920s may be on its third heating system, with ductwork added after the radiators came out and a high-efficiency unit squeezed in beside the old chimney.
Our trucks come into the city from our shop at 2093 Rand Road in Des Plaines — we don't keep a Chicago office — and the northwest side is a short run down the Kennedy.
In plain language: when the house goes cold, we find out why that particular furnace stopped, fix the part that actually failed, and tell you honestly whether the rest of the system is likely to hold up through the winter.
Right Away Plumbing and HVAC is based at 2093 Rand Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
What usually goes wrong in Chicago basements
Ignition and flame-sensing faults are the most common no-heat calls: a hot-surface igniter cracks, or a flame sensor coats over and the furnace lights, runs a few seconds and shuts off. On high-efficiency furnaces, the condensate drain is the next suspect. Basements in older city homes run cold, and a trap or drain line that sits near an outside wall can slow or freeze in a hard cold snap.
The pressure switch then won't close, and the furnace locks out with no obvious reason from upstairs.
Airflow causes its own trouble. Many bungalows had ducts run into the attic or a dormer when the second floor was finished, and those runs are often undersized or uninsulated. A restricted filter, a closed return or a collapsed flex duct can overheat the heat exchanger and trip the high-limit switch, which shows up as a furnace that heats for a while and then blows cold.
Two-flats, raised ranches and shared basements
In a two-flat with a furnace for each unit, both furnaces often sit in the same basement and share a chimney or a vent route. When one gets replaced, venting for the other — and for the water heater — has to be looked at again. An older water heater left alone in a big masonry chimney can vent poorly once the furnace that used to warm the flue is gone.
We check that whenever we work on a shared system.
Raised ranches on the far northwest side usually have the furnace in a lower-level utility room with short duct runs, which is easier to service. The common issue there is age: original equipment from a remodel decades ago, with a blower motor or control board near the end of its life.
Repair first, replacement only when it makes sense
We start every no-heat call by reading the furnace's fault code and testing the specific components the code points to, rather than swapping parts until something works. If the fix is an igniter, a sensor, a drain or a switch, we repair it. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the venting is unsafe, or repairs are piling up on an old unit, we'll explain that plainly and give you a written replacement option — the decision stays with you.
In plain language: you'll know what broke, what we fixed, and whether we think the furnace has more winters in it.
Before we arrive
Check that the thermostat is set to heat, that it has working batteries, and that the switch on or near the furnace is on. Look at the filter. If you have a high-efficiency furnace, see whether the white plastic pipes outside are blocked by snow. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility first. Otherwise, call us at 773-250-6060 — same-day visits when the schedule allows.
What we check
- Fault codes, ignition sequence and flame sensing
- Pressure switch, inducer motor and venting
- Condensate trap and drain on high-efficiency units
- Filter, blower, return air and high-limit operation
- Chimney or vent sharing with a water heater or second furnace
- Gas pressure and burner condition
- Thermostat wiring and settings
See our full furnace repair page, or go back to plumbing and HVAC in Chicago.
Chicago furnace repair questions
Why does my furnace start and then shut off after a few seconds?
That pattern usually points to flame sensing, a pressure switch that isn't staying closed, or a blocked condensate drain on a high-efficiency unit. Each has a different fix, which is why we test before replacing anything.
Do you repair furnaces in Chicago two-flats?
Yes. We work on furnaces in two-flats, bungalows, raised ranches and small multi-unit buildings, including basements where two furnaces and a water heater share venting.
Should I repair or replace an old furnace?
It depends on what failed and the overall condition. A worn igniter is a repair. A cracked heat exchanger or unsafe venting is a different conversation. We'll explain what we found and put any replacement option in writing.
What number do I call for furnace repair in Chicago?
Call 773-250-6060 for Chicago addresses. Same-day visits are available when the schedule allows.
Request furnace repair in Chicago
Call 773-250-6060 or request service online. Same-day visits when the schedule allows. We are licensed, bonded and insured.